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The Wolverine

No one has played a superhero more time than Hugh Jackman and after the disappointing X-Men Organs, fans have still yet to see a Wolverine film they really want. Sadly we’re never going to get an over violent blood filled film starring the one they call Logan but is The Wolverine the best we can hope for? Based the Graphic novel by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, sees our adamantium clawed hero fly to Japan to meet Yashida, an ageing millionaire who he once saved in the past, is dying and offers to take away his powers/curse from him. Needless to say shifty bloke with dragon tattoos and samurai swords start attacking left right and centre and Logan’s healing abilities are all of a sudden gone. Leaving him to protect Yashida’s granddaughter the while at he’s most valuable.

The Wolverine rights most of the wrongs of the last film by being all about its lead character rather than cramming its plot with other mutants, making a mess of the story and pissing of the fans who love them so much. It also lets Jackman have an entire film to himself adding more depth and more slashing and stabbing. The action and the pacing is well handled. Within its two-hour running time there is never a dull moment with some memorable set pieces, particularly the sequence on a bullet train. However dispute its enjoyable experience, The Wolverine lacks a certain kick to make it anything other than perfectly fine, which is a shame as it could have been great. Director James Mangold does a really great job although it seemed like he’s restrained by the 12a/PG13 rating keeping it safe and a tad plane when the story itself is yearning as something more darker. That’s not to say the all is missing is a tone of gore and limbs flying about the place (thought that would be awesome) but the over all tone feels more lightweight and is missing that extra depth.

Jackman is great as all ways and backed up with solid support by Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima and Hiroyuki Sanada. Mangold makes use of the new Tokyo surroundings giving the series a breath of fresh air and even though we’ve seen the whole superhero being stripped of his powers story line been done many times before, for Wolverine is makes sense, especially when facing against mostly human foes, retaining the sense of danger that he may not make it out of this one. But again these elements about him having to cope with injuries never feels fully explored which is a real shame. regardless of its failings, The Wolverine gives the fans the film they wanted, it just could have been amazing instead of good..